Saturday, February 05, 2005

What's with all the fuss about Mubarak's 5th term in office? Do these people really believe they will change the fact that he will rule Egypt for a fifth term. How will a few demonstrations (which Amn Eldawla will make sure that they are less than a few even) change the outcome of the constitutional and fair elections coming up this year? Those demonstrators know that their actions won't result in any change. I actually respect and applaud that. Taking action that you know will lead to nothing takes alot of motivation and belief. Yet, those who demonstrate believe that this is their only means to prove that they're not a herd being driven by a group of people that they feel inferior to them. The group of people involved in such demonstrations, are apparently of a different breed than those involved in the typical Egyptian demonstration attempts. They are intellectuals, and a highly educated bunch, which in itself adds value to such events, and partly explains the very poor turnout in the two demonstrations they organized. For those demonstrators among them whom are closer to God (or who like to think so of themselves), they believe that they will be rewarded for their action regardless of the outcome. They look at their comrades in the demonstration and wonder, we're here because we believe we'll be rewarded by God, even though we're sure this won't lead to any change, why are those leftists here? Well, have you ever thought that they have a conscious too.I've been invited to participate in those demonstrations, and it was implied that I was unpatriotic and passive because I was not interested. Am I really? Probably yes, or probably that's what I've turned into. I think I would really be passive when I see a change to the better that I can make, and yet I don't. When there's a fight for a good cause and yet I withdraw. I like to pick my fights (which is probably why I end up in such few ones, if any!), and this is certainly not one of them.

The argument ofcourse could be drawn that following that logic, everyone would stop fighting their losing battles, and no freedom's would be won, and no justice would be done. However, I'm not against a hard fight, but am for a better fight, and an effective one. The Palestinian cause is probably better off because of the endless non-effective intifada. Well, sometimes I wonder if it is really, or if the people (more importantly) are really better off. Their voice and cause is certainly better heard (well, is it really, or is it just louder!?). Well, atleast they're fighting, and what makes their fighting even more noble is the conviction that their fighting won't lead to their freedom or earn their land back.

Getting back to the main idea here. I would really love to see a statistics of the demonstrations in the last 20 years, and what they've led to. I believe there are two types of effective demonstrations: 1) one that leads to a revolution. We can be sure that this will absolutely never happen in Egypt. Not in a million years will Egyptian's be capable of doing that. Simply not in the Egyptian character. And those revolutionists and emotional leaders who organize or lead demonstrations are really channeling their efforts to a void. 2) A demonstration that demonstrates a consensus among a fairly large group of people regarding a major issue. However, the demonstration is a mean to support actions being taken. A mean that demonstrates the overwhelming support for such actions. But demonstrations in void leads to void (or to getting beaten and tear gased).

But then, most importantly, I even disagree with the basic premise that those latest demonstrations make. No 5th term for the president, or 1st term for his son. The idea is great. He's been there for too long, that's for sure. But is that really the problem? Is this really the first step to the solutions of all our problems? I happen to think not. I happen to think that with Egyptians, being how they are, if our president is to leave, we are bound to be ruled by an equal, and things are bound to remain as bad as they are, because that is simply not even the first step of the solution.

It must be an unusual experience to be blogged about like that, so I'm sorry if I offended you. I remember the first time somebody disagreed with me online, so I think I have some idea how you feel.

I think that when you wrote this, though, you might not have expected feedback:

"Its a mean to express my thoughts and reflections, without caring how I'm being judged or perceived --because I don't really know who the hell is judging me, or who is reading this thing in the first place. And because what I write here doesn't really matter."

No offence taken whatsoever praktike. I absolutely don't mind the disagreement, I only replied because you misinterpreted what I was saying. And I just realized that it will be really exhausting to chase everyone who misunderstands me or misquotes me all over the Internet. So I probably was right in your quote of what I said when I started this blog, and I shouldn't really care even about misreadings of my blog.

Since you're quoting me on my initial intentions, I'll also point out that I said: "Since this is about me, and myself, and you haven't paid or been forced to read it, I am tempted to disallow any comments about any of my blog posts. However, because I like to think of myself as an open-minded person, who embraces other opinions, I will try to display my belief in freedom and free expression. So, the harsher, yet objective the comment, the better."

I clearly remember one of Abd al-Haleem's song, when he was singing to whoever is not going to be Ishterakee, and believe in Nasser's crap: 'ya 3adew el isterakeya, ya faked el mas'ouleiyah, haan tabelak keddahou, haan zamarlak kedahou.....'

How pitiable!

And you come now and talk about Egyptians being treated as Kids. They say to change generations change every 40 years, almost there! Although I am not sure if the new gene will be any better.